Population-based comparison of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 and health-related quality of life across pandemic periods: Omicron era versus early pandemic
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) may vary across pandemic phases. We compared the prevalence of post-acute COVID-19 symptom clusters following SARS-CoV-2 infection in the early pandemic and during the Omicron era using a population-based approach. The EPILOC study enrolled individuals aged 18–65 years who tested PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the early pandemic, between October 2020 and April 2021, in defined geographic regions within Baden-Württemberg. EPILOC-Omicron used an identical design for individuals infected between June and July 2022. Participants completed a standardised questionnaire assessing sociodemographics, lifestyle, symptoms, and health-related quality of life (SF-12). PCS was defined as ≤ 80% recovery of general health or work capacity plus at least one new moderate-to-strong symptom, both compared to before index infection. Generalised linear models adjusted for age, sex, and education were used to estimate relative risks (RRs). We analysed data from 11,710 EPILOC (24% response) and 12,560 EPILOC-Omicron participants (17% response). Participants were similar in age and sex distribution. Vaccination before infection differed markedly (< 3 vs. > 92%). PCS prevalence was 29.6% in EPILOC and 14.5% in EPILOC-Omicron. Predictors of PCS were similar for both. Symptom clusters were consistently less frequent after infection during the Omicron era (e.g., fatigue RR = 0.54; neurocognitive impairment RR = 0.53; chest symptoms RR = 0.47; smell/taste disorder RR = 0.17). Health-related quality of life was similar in PCS cases of both cohorts (mean SF-12 Physical 40.3 vs. 41.0, mean SF-12 Mental 38.9 vs. 40.7). PCS was less common following SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Omicron era compared to the early pandemic period. However, affected individuals continue to experience substantial, comparable impairment in hrQoL across both pandemic periods.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Raphael S. Peter, Alexandra Nieters, Lisamaria Sedelmaier, Hans-Georg Kräusslich, Stefan O. Brockmann, Siri Göpel, Uta Merle, Jürgen M. Steinacker, Dietrich Rothenbacher, Winfried V. Kern, for the EPILOC Omicron Study Group, Christoph Bauer, Benedict Blankenhorn, Ulrike Bopp-Haas, Stefanie Braig, Nadine Conzelmann, Peter Deibert, Armin Dietz, Birgit Friedmann-Bette, Veronika Götz, Sylvia Grote, Alexandra Junginger, Oliver Kappert, Anne Kühn, Lynn Matits, Barbara Müller, Andreas Niess, Isolde Piechotowski, Sibylle Röttele, Jana Schellenberg, Claudia Schilling, Rainer Schwertz, Monika Spannenkrebs, Gabriele Wagner, Birgit Walter-Frank, Kersten Wolfers, Mengyu Zhu
Institutions: Universität Ulm, University of Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, Heidelberg University, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, University of Tübingen, University Hospital Heidelberg, University Hospital Ulm, Deutsches Zentrum für Psychische Gesundheit, Ministerium für Soziales und Integration Baden-Württemberg, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Funder: Universität Ulm
OpenAlex ID: W7161709688